The ability to hang your hammock on the go means you can relax anywhere, anytime. After navigating the outdoor to your camping site, there is no better feeling than taking a deserved rest in a cool spot staring at the blue sky.
However, you need the right hammock carabiner to feel safe and secure while you rest.
Nothing spoils a good camping day, like your hammock falling. But with the right carabiner, you can take a short nap, relax and sleep comfortably knowing there is no risk of a fall.
It is important you hang safely with the best carabiners for hammocks. You can have a restful sleep knowing you are secure.
Keep reading for the best 8 hammock carabiners, and get ready to enjoy your hammock with a book or beer – after all, it is a vacation, and you deserve it.
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Before we dive into thorough review and analysis of the best carabiners for hammocks, you can check the top 3 in the chart below.
8 of the Best Carabiners for Hammocks in 2021
The Rallt Aluminium Wire Gate Carabiners is the best carabiner for hammocks in the market today.
When you consider safety, good quality, versatility, ease of use and the material build what else are you looking for in a carabiner apart from these qualities? Nothing much I guess, this is the crème de la crème of carabiners for hammocks.
These Rallt carabiners for hammock are made from aluminum. They are versatile and can be useful for other activities such as fishing, backpacking, camping, and hiking.
The D shape is not accidental, these Rallt carabiners are designed this way to keep them strong, by ensuring that the weight you exert on them is concentrated on a straight spine. The Rallt carabiners are rated for a weight of up to 10 KN, which is about 2,697 pounds.
For a one-handed opening mechanism, they have wire gates, which helps to eliminate the risk of accidental ripping and snagging of materials. And each carabiner weighs only 22 grams with 3.15 inches (8 centimeters) in length and come in two packs.
However, the Rallt Aluminium Wire Gate Carabiners cannot be used for climbing, and their wire gate appears thinner, you may have difficulty using it with a thick cable or rope.
- Last long without fading
- Inexpensive
- Weigh just 22 grams
- Can be opened with one hand
- Weight is concentrated on a straight spine
- Thin wire gate
- Does not come with straps
Next up, we will take a quick look at the Gabbro carabiner clip. These are the CE-certified carabiners made from heavy-duty aluminum so that you will be stunned by their quality and versatility.
One of the main features we prefer these heavy-duty carabiners is the materials used in the composition. They use the 7075 aviation lightweight aluminum. But don’t let the word lightweight fool you. These ones are incredibly sturdy for hammocks and can hold your weight significantly.
Moreover, they have a weight capacity of 2679 lbs and work exceptionally well with any use. They are coated with premiere paint for long-term use so that they won’t chip off that easily.
Now, for the versatility, these ones are our top pick. Aside from using them with hammocks, you can also put them to the test and use them with the dog leash, handbag weights for traveling, backpacking, or around the house!
They are practical and convenient for everyday use as well as for adventuristic purposes.
As for the design, the GABBRO carabiners include a quick wire gate which allows for easy setup and installation. In addition, they can reduce gate lash, while the D-shaped design will offer you a wide gate opening size.
Each carabiner weighs only ¾ oz, so they are super lightweight and convenient to carry along for any of your adventures.
- Versatile use
- Wide gate opening
- Exceptionally sturdy
- Lightweight
- Great for everyday use
- Customers often receive fewer carabiners than ordered
Bear Butt is a popular brand name known for the manufacture of high-quality hammock materials. And these brightly colored hammocks are excellent products you can count on if the two products mentioned above are not available for some reasons. Your hammock will be safely suspended with the minimum of fuss.
These Bear Butt carabiners are sold in a convenient 2 pack and are made from lightweight aluminum material, which makes them strong, elegant and practical and can be used for a variety of purposes. They can be used with hammock straps or for other camping-use in different seasons.
The Bear Butt carabiners are rust free, which adds to its durability. They come weighing 7 Ounce, an almost negligible weight for such an important camping tool They are small and will fit into your backpack easily.
It is versatile and can be used for camping, fishing, hiking and traveling, it also fits easily on a keychain, which can be operated with one hand ready at a moment’s notice.
Each Bear Butt carabiner has the strength to carry 2200 pounds, enough to hold you and your partner in place on the hammock in all weather.
For safety, the Bear Butt carabiner are not recommended for ice climbing, mountaineering and any form of high-altitude games.
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Multipurpose
- Snag-free
- Not suitable for any form of high-altitude games.
The first 3 reviewed products in this article have wire gates, they are lightweight and can be operated with one hand. However, the BEWISHOME 4 Pack Carabiner Hooks comes with a screw locking system and cannot be operated with one hand.
It comes with a strong and durable chrome plated iron, which makes it a bit heavier than the above products, but at the same time, one of the strongest, and trusted carabiners on the market. You can hang your hammock safely with it and go to sleep without worries.
The D-nuts buckle design and the screw gate lock mechanism makes it safe for a wide variety of use. It comes with a spring loaded gate which allows it to be quickly and securely attached to a wide range of fixing points.
However, unlike the first three wire gate products above, BEWISHOME carabiner is not easy to lock, as found in the auto-locking model. You cannot also perform a one-handed operating mechanism, but in all, this carabiner is hard to beat at durability, functionality, and price.
- Comes in a durable chrome plated iron
- Screw locking system
- Versatile
- Can’t be operated with one hand
- Heavy
The STURME Locking Carabiner Clip is another carabiner with a screw gate locking mechanism. It is also popular in the carabiner industry, preferred for its lightweight design, shape, and ease of use.
Despite weighing smaller than the BEWISHOME carabiner above, it comes with a stronger biner. It is rated for up to 12 Kn (2697 lbs), and crafted from top grade aerospace Aluminum 7075.
The design and specifications make it very strong and useful for virtually all purposes. It also comes with a manual screw lock to prevent accidental open gate failure.
It is suitable for hiking, outdoor hammock, fixing object on pickup and can be attached to small travel tools, Keychain, sports bottle and many more. It measures 3-inch in length, 2-inch width and gate opening of 0.6-inch while having an overall weight of 0.96 ounces.
The STURME carabiner manual screw lock also makes it highly impossible for it to snag on anything. And it is noteworthy, that the company went an extra length to ensure the top of the line closure is quick and easy to use.
Its compact, functional design and palm-sized make it easy to be operated with one hand however, its small size makes it unsuitable for climbing activities.
- Lightweight design
- Manual screw lock to prevent accidental open gate failure
- One hand operation
- Easy to use
- Might be it unsuitable for other activities such as belaying
VANWALK is a well-known brand when it comes to high-quality carabiners, and they have been producing great products for quite some time now. These carabiners are a great pick if you miss the first five products. The experience is almost the same.
These VANWALK carabiners are heavy-duty, durable and long lasting. They can carry a weight of up to 12KN, 2645 lbs and are suitable for suspending hammocks intended for more than one person during camping.
The VANWALK Aluminium carabiners weigh 22 grams only. They are super-lightweight and can be easily stored and carried over long distances at no additional weight to the backpacker.
Store it in the backpack, and the only time you will remember you have them with you is when setting up your hammock.
If you are fascinated by colors, then you would love to be associated with these carabiners. They come in eleven beautiful colors so you can choose one that matches your hammock or lifestyle.
They are versatile and useful for other activities as you deem fit, when not using them to suspend your hammock.
However, this carabiner is not intended to carry weight above 2697 lbs, please ensure you adhere to this requirement for safety purposes.
- Weigh 22 grams only
- Comes in eleven color variants
- Versatile
- Not suitable for high altitude activities.
The next on the list is a high-quality general duty carabiner. If you need an affordable carabiner that will go about getting your job done with ease, this is a strong choice for you.
The Montem Ultra Sturdy Locking Carabiners comes with a knurled screw-lock and supports a one-handed operation. And, it is available in 16 attractive colors.
It is a two-pack carabiner that comes with two identical screw-lock carabiners rated for up to 5kN (1,100 lbs when locked). Each one is crafted from a 7075 aluminum material, they are powder coated in matte black, which makes them corrosion free. Although, it would be nice to see them come in different colors.
The Montem Ultra Sturdy Locking Carabiners gates can be easily opened with one hand. And with its snag-free design, you are sure there will be no snagging, ripping or tearing of any of your expensive material when trapped inside the gate.
These carabiners are great for general use such as hanging a hammock, attaching gear, or general campsite use. However, they are not recommended for climbing or other high altitude games.
- Knurled screw-lock for easy closure
- Easy to clip ergonomic shape
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Rated up to 5kN – useful for light duties
- Limited gate clearance, you may find it challenging to use with thick cables
- Can’t be used for climbing
Who doesn’t appreciate a suitable old iron carabiner for the hammocks? We know we do, so let’s check these bad boys out to see how they compare to the rest of the items on our list.
These Oupeng sky ones are made from heavy-duty alloy material, which is waterproof, rust-resistant, high-strength, and great for everyday use and camping! What will genuinely impress you is the palm-size of only 3 inches!
This means you can sneak a few of them into your travel backpack and always have them nearby. With the purchase, you will also receive four keyrings, so you can use the carabiners as a keychain and never lose track of them.
You already know all about the benefits of the D-shaped locking clip. They have a large gate design while reducing the chance of gate lash.
These ones are reinforced with a durable spring that has an auto-lock design for added convenience. So you can permanently safely attach them to the hammock and not have to worry about snapping or accidental opening.
It will hold up to 388 kg, which is super impressive for this type of design. In addition, versatile use is always there to support your everyday activities. You can use these Oupeng sky ones for gym equipment, dog walking, fishing, hunting, or any other type of activity.
- Versatile use
- Heavy-duty alloy material
- Rust-resistant and waterproof
- Supports everyday activities
- Impressive 388 kg weight limit
- Auto-lock clip
- Wide gate design
- Customers often receive older versions of this model
Factors to Consider When Picking the Best Carabiners for Hammocks
If you read through the features of the carabiners above, you will observe some standard features among the products. These features should be used to settle for the best product. You will not find same specs on every carabiner.
Therefore, you need to be observant, when shopping for carabiners. Consider the following factors before making a purchasing decision.
1. Construction
Many carabiners are made from stainless steel or aluminum. The steel carabiners are stronger and more durable. But have a downside, they are heavier and are not recommended for camping purposes. The aluminum carabiners are the bulk of products in this article.
They are anodized in most cases to prevent corrosion. Which also enables dying them with the desired color. It comes with a thin layer and at no extra weight to the carabiner.
Aluminum carabiners are made from Aluminum alloys – which are lightweight materials. Aluminum carabiners automatically come lightweight. This lightweight feature is vital especially if you are carrying other gears in your backpack.
The lightweight carabiners will ensure you can walk long distances without fatigue.
2. Gate Type
There are different types of gate, the two most common ones are the wire gates and the solid stock gates.
The solid gate carabiners are keylocks. They have a nose that latches on the groove made on the gate’s barrel. This type of gate may be dangerous at times if not correctly clipped. If you prefer a solid block gate carabiners, ensure it has keylocks on the top and bottom.
The wire gates are the most preferred because they are lightweight. It allows you to have the freedom to carry other things you need, which may be crucial for your camping.
Additionally, they are not prone to icing like the block gate types. It is the ideal gate of choice in extremely cold weather conditions.
The wire gates have narrow wires, so it has a larger gate opening. During an accidental fall, the wire gates also minimize to prevent damage.
One disadvantage of the wire gate is the exposed notch meant to latch onto the nose. Hopefully, the next generation of hybrid carabiners will be designed to address this problem.
3. Strength
The strength of the carabiner will determine the amount of weight it can support.
Carabiners have different weight limits. A good reference point is to use your weight plus the weight of the other person accompanying you to the camp. Many carabiners used for hammock suspensions can carry weights of between 7 KN and 12 KN.
After considering the strength of the carabiner, you should also pay attention to the strength of the gate opening of your gear. Ensure this fall between 9 and 10 KN to prevent accidental gate opening.
4. Size of the Carabiner
Carabiner comes in different sizes. Some are smaller in comparison to others.
Ensure you are on the lookout for standard-sized carabiners that is easy and quick to operate using one hand. It should also occupy minimal space for easy storage.
5. The Shape of the Carabiner
Carabiners come either bent or straight.
Bent carabiners always have a D-shape. These are the most preferred type, as they are easily clipped compared to the straight ones. It is essential you only have gears that will not stress you while setting up your hammock.
6. Price of the Carabiner
Carabiners do not have a standard price, every manufacturer sets the price of his product based on the material and technology used. Carabiners often come in a set of 2, 4, 6, 8, and so on, that may bring about a difference in pricing.
You may, therefore, experience price variations, depending on the number of carabiners in the set you want to purchase. However, carabiners are affordable, anyway, make it a habit to work within your camping budget.
Do not strain yourself financially buying expensive carabiners, when you can purchase other high-quality cheaper ones to perform even better than the expensive ones.
FAQs
What are different carabiners used for?
As carabiners are a versatile item, you need to know three main types: non-load bearing carabiners, basic carabiners, and locking carabiners.
Non-load bearing carabiners are used for accessory purposes only. Meaning, you can attach your key to them or connect a water bottle to your backpack. However, these ones are not PPE certified, so they cannot be used for climbing!
Basic carabiners are used in quickdraws. Although they can hold more than a non-load-bearing carabiner, they are quicker to open.
Locking carabiners are used for heavy-duty purposes such as hammocks, climbing, fishing, or hiking. They can have an auto-lock mechanism, or you can lock them in manually.
Do I need carabiners for the hammock?
Yes, you need carabiners for the hammock if you want a safe and sturdy installation.
Carabiners hold the tree straps along with the hammock and are responsible for offering you a stable setup.
We recommend that you get a carabiner with an auto-lock mechanism so you can be sure it does not snap off easily.
How much weight can a carabiner hold?
The weight capacity of the carabiner all depends on its design.
All you should do is buy a carabiner with a generous weight limit capacity so you can be sure it will support your weight properly.
Carabiners are rated for force instead of weight to hold up at least 20kN which equals out to 2,000 kgs.
How do you hang a hammock with a carabiner?
The easiest way to hang a hammock with a carabiner is by doing the double-loop method.
The method refers to the tree straps, where one end is reserved for the tree lopping, and the other is for the carabiner attachment.
After attaching the straps to the tree, pass the loop of the strap through the carabiner and tighten it. Then, do the same process on the other side, and your work is done!
Conclusion
Your security and safety come first while camping. And this is what makes the Rallt Aluminum Wire Gate Carabiners, my top rated hammock carabiner. It is versatile, and effective for use in other range of activities when needed.
It is a D-shaped carabiner, and strong enough to carry loads up to 2,697 pounds. Is it not astonishing, this 20-gram carabiner can withstand such loads? Plus, it is small in size, which makes it portable.
Setup is a piece of cake, your hammock will be up in a couple of minutes, saving you time for relaxation. Thanks to a wire gate design that makes this possible, and this can be done using one hand.
Have you ever used any of the above-reviewed carabiners? If yes, how was your experience? If there is any other one apart from my top-rated that makes your number one spot, please indicate in the comment box.
- BUILT TO LAST: Rated at 12kN, this carabiner clip features a D-shape design, allowing it to support up to 2,687lbs by concentrating weight on the straight spine. Rest easy knowing that your gear and supplies won't break or fall.
- LIGHTWEIGHT & PORTABLE: RALLT's carabiners are compact and lightweight, making them an essential addition to your camping accessories. Perfect for attaching hammock straps to trees, securing heavy duty gear, or even as a reliable carabiner keychain. These carabiner clips are incredibly strong and durable.
- SECURE & RELIABLE: With a screw gate locking mechanism, these carabiners clips offer enhanced security for your gear. The robust D ring design ensures max load distribution, making them ideal for hammock straps and camping accessories. Not intended for climbing or safety equipment.
- MULTI-PURPOSE USE: Whether you're hiking, securing your fishing gear, camping, lazing in your hammock, or just need a reliable dog leash hook or keychain clip, RALLT's tactical carabiners are a must-have. Not for climbing or rappelling
- VERSATILE & DURABLE: Made from high-quality materials, these heavy-duty carabiner clips are designed to withstand the elements. Whether you're using them for camping hammock, backpacking hammock or as a part of your first aid kit, these D rings are built to last.
Hi there, I am Orson Brown, a passionate explorer and the one behind Stop, Reset! Do you like hiking, climbing or camping, but don’t know how to get started? Follow our journey to prepare your trip best!